Another Successful Year

New Guinea Women's Club of Sydney Carries on Vigorously

THE annual general meeting of the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney, in July, marked the sixth year of the Club’s existence and its first anniversary as a social club.

The Club was formed in 1941 by Mrs.

H. H. Page, and grew in the Pacific war years into a patriotic organisation and a recognised centre of New Guinea life in exile. Its membership was large and its influence for good, among the uprooted New Guinea womenfolk then in Sydney, profound.

With peace and the general return of evacuees to the Territories, membership naturally fell off, but the club is still a vigorous, live organisation with a definite place in the lives of those ex- New Guinea women who are still living in Sydney.

When the club gave up most of its patriotic duties, and at the annual general meeting in 1946, decided to carry on as a social body, it was felt by some that this was the swan song of the organisa tion and that it would gradually die from inanition. This impression was heigh tened by the fact that many of the

office-bearers, who had done such good work during the war years, felt unable to carry on in their former capacities.

It was pleasant, therefore, to find at the sixth annual meeting on July 18, 1947, that none of these things had happened and that the club, under the capable leadership of Mrs. N. Foxcroft, was still carrying on vigorously, actively supported by those women whom circumstance has condemned to permanent residence in Sydney, and with the good wishes of many who have now returned to the Territories.

IN her annual report, the president, Mrs. Foxcroft, paid special tribute to the help given her by the last president and now patron of the Club, Mrs. H. H. Page, Among the year’s functions were a Christmas party for 125 youngsters, a cocktail party for adults, several games nights and a theatre party.

Club activities had included assistance to needy ex-New Guinea residents, com memorative pilgrimages to the Cenotaph on January 23, on Anzac Day and on the anniversary of the sinking of the “Montevideo Maru.” Special mention was made of Mrs. U. Adams’ visit to Rabaul, and the appeal she made there on behalf of the Club which resulted in the sum' of £174 being collected for general funds. Tribute was paid to Mr.

Harry Downing, of External Territories Department, Sydney, for the willing help he rendered members at all times; to the president and staff members of the Feminist Club; and to Mr. H. V. Quinton, honorary auditor.

Both the general Club funds and the special Prisoners of War and Internees Fund show healthy balances. After dis bursements during the year of £l9O, the general fund shows a credit balance of £291. During the year grants of assis tance amounting to £l5O were made from

the special POW and Civilian Internees Fund. This leaves a credit balance of £314.

Office-Bearers

OFFICE bearers elected for current year were: Patron, Mrs. H. H. Page; president, Mrs. N. Foxcroft; vice president, Mrs. I. Meldrum; secretary, Mrs. Carr; treasurer, Mrs. I. .Taylour; committee, Mesdames E. Ormonde, M.

Forsyth, E. G. Haynes, J. Edwards.

Bring-and-Buy a Gift

THE club will hold its first entertain ment of the 1947-48 year on August 29, in the clubrooms, 77 King Street.

It will take the form of an “American tea”—guests are asked to bring a small gift and to buy a gift. Proceeds will go to club funds. No charge will be made for admission, but supper will be avail able if required at a cost of 1/6.

It is reported that natives attacked Mr.

Frank Henderson, who went to New Guinea as manager of Langu Plantation, Witu Islands, which was owned by the late Mrs. Gladys Baker. The property was left by Mrs. Baker to Miss Diana Coote.

The Rev. M. A. Warren, who has been secretary of the Australian Board of Missions in Australia for several years, as well as taking an active interest in the rehabilitation of the Anglican Mission’s establishment in Papua, has been created an honorary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul at Dogura, Papua. Canon Warren will leave Australia in August with a goodwill mission from the Church of England in Australia to the Churches in China and Japan.